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  Wind velocity measuring apparatusUSPTO Application #: 20060193369Title: Wind velocity measuring apparatus Abstract: A wind velocity measuring apparatus. The apparatus includes a thermal sensor and a processor operatively coupled to the thermal sensor. The processor is configured to receive a first temperature reading from the thermal sensor of a beginning temperature sensed by the thermal sensor and to receive a second temperature reading from the thermal sensor of an ending temperature sensed by the thermal sensor after a quantifiable amount of heat is applied to the thermal sensor for a quantifiable amount of time. The processor is further configured to determine a theoretical temperature based on the quantifiable amount of heat, the quantifiable amount of time, and the beginning temperature and to determine a wind velocity based on the difference between the theoretical temperature and the ending temperature. (end of abstract)
Agent: Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP - Milwaukee, WI, US Inventors: Terrence J. O'Neill, Robin W. Gollnick USPTO Applicaton #: 20060193369 - Class: 374109000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Thermal Measuring And Testing, Temperature Measurement (e.g., Thermometer), Composite Temperature-related Paramenter, Climate Related (e.g., Wind-chill Factor, Discomfort Index) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060193369. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part patent application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/933,894, filed Sep. 4, 2004, which claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/500,283, filed Sep. 4, 2003, and co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/538,399, filed Jan. 22, 2004, the entire contents of which are all incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] Conventional temperature measuring apparatuses or thermometers are often located in an outdoor location, where they are exposed to ambient air, and, in many cases, sunlight. Conventional thermometers are intended to record or display ambient air temperature. In many situations, however, they actually record or display the temperature of their sensing element, which may or may not correspond to the ambient air temperature. For example, when the sensing element is exposed to sunlight, the sensing element may be 20.degree. F. to 30.degree. F. above the ambient temperature. Even when placed in the shade, the sensing element can receive reflected solar radiation or infrared radiation from sunlight-heated surroundings, which can cause the sensing element to experience a temperature a few degrees higher than the ambient air temperature. [0003] Measured temperatures can be combined with other measurements in order to determine additional environmental conditions. For example, a temperature measurement can be combined with a wind velocity measurement in order to determine a wind chill measurement. Wind chill is an attempt to relate a person's or animal's heat loss at a temperature and a specific wind velocity to the same temperature with no wind velocity. Typically, wind chill measurements are only applied to temperatures below 50.degree. F. and winds above 3 miles per hour. Cooling effects of wind, however, continue at temperatures above 50.degree. F., and therefore the term "wind effect" can be used to express both normal wind chill measurements and cooling effects of wind outside of the normal range of wind chill measurements. [0004] Wind effect is determined based on surrounding temperature and wind velocity. There are many different methods of determining wind velocity. For example, a standard method for determining wind velocity uses an anemometer, in which moving air (wind) causes an object (e.g., an impeller) to rotate. Wind velocity is determined based on the speed of rotation of the object. The rotating object, however, experiences inertia, friction, and wear, which can affect the use or accuracy of the anemometer. [0005] Acoustics can also be used to determine wind velocity by measuring the time required for sound waves to travel between two or more points or receivers. Using acoustics, however, requires either the additional cost of multiple receivers or moving parts in order to orientate transducers in the wind. [0006] Another method of determining wind velocity uses air pressure in which an object that is placed perpendicular to moving air has a higher pressure on the side facing the wind and a lower pressure on the side facing away from the wind. The difference in pressures on the sides of the object is used to determine wind velocity. However, similar to the anemometer, the object placed in moving air introduces a moving part that experiences inertia, friction, and wear. In addition, the object must be orientated with respect to the wind in order to accurately calculate wind velocity. [0007] A further method of determining air or wind velocity uses the cooling effect of wind on a heated wire in which the moving air changes the resistance of the heated wire. Wind velocity is calculated based on the change in resistance of the wire. This method requires a constant, sizable, and stable source of power (e.g., 120 volts AC) to heat the wire and, therefore, is not practical for sustained operation with limited sources of power, such as a battery, solar power, etc. SUMMARY [0008] Embodiments of the invention provide a wind velocity measuring apparatus including a thermal sensor and a processor operatively coupled to the thermal sensor. The processor is configured to receive a first temperature reading from the thermal sensor of a beginning temperature sensed by the thermal sensor and to receive a second temperature reading from the thermal sensor of an ending temperature sensed by the thermal sensor after a quantifiable amount of heat is applied to the thermal sensor for a quantifiable amount of time. The processor is further configured to determine a theoretical temperature based on the quantifiable amount of heat, the quantifiable amount of time, and the beginning temperature and to determine a wind velocity based on the difference between the theoretical temperature and the ending temperature. [0009] Additional embodiments provide a method of determining wind velocity including receiving a first temperature reading from a thermal sensor of a beginning temperature sensed by the thermal sensor; receiving a second temperature reading from the thermal sensor of an ending temperature sensed by the thermal sensor after a quantifiable amount of heat is applied to the thermal sensor for a quantifiable amount of time; determining a theoretical temperature based on the quantifiable amount of heat, the quantifiable amount of time, and the beginning temperature; and determining a wind velocity based on the difference between the theoretical temperature and the ending temperature. [0010] Another embodiment provides a wind velocity measuring apparatus including a processor, a first thermal sensor operatively coupled to the processor and having a first thermal absorbency, and a second thermal sensor operatively coupled to the processor and having a second thermal absorbency lower than the first thermal absorbency. The processor is configured to receive a first temperature reading from the first thermal sensor of a first beginning temperature sensed by the first thermal sensor, a second temperature reading from the first thermal sensor of a first ending temperature sensed by the first thermal sensor after a quantifiable amount of heat is applied to the first thermal sensor for a quantifiable amount of time, a third temperature reading from the second thermal sensor of a second beginning temperature sensed by the second thermal sensor, and a fourth temperature reading sensed by the second thermal sensor of a second ending temperature sensed by the second thermal sensor after the quantifiable amount of heat is applied to the second thermal sensor for the quantifiable amount of time. The processor is further configured to determine a theoretical temperature based on the quantifiable amount of heat, the quantifiable amount of time, and at least one of the first beginning temperature and the second beginning temperature and to determine a wind velocity based on the difference between the theoretical temperature and at least one of the first ending temperature and the second ending temperature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the structure of a wind velocity measuring apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention. [0012] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary temperature responses of a sensor of the wind velocity measuring apparatus of FIG. 1 in a still air environment and in a wind environment according to one embodiment of the invention. [0013] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary temperature responses of a sensor of the wind velocity measuring apparatus of FIG. 1 due to the application of a heating pulse to the sensor according to one embodiment of the invention. [0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the structure of a wind velocity measuring apparatus including a photosensitive sensor according to one embodiment of the invention. [0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the structure of a wind velocity measuring apparatus including two thermal sensors with different thermal absorbencies according to one embodiment of the invention. [0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the structure of a wind velocity measuring apparatus including a photosensitive sensor and two thermal sensors with different thermal absorbencies according to one embodiment of the invention. [0017] FIG. 7 is a graphical representation illustrating temperature responses of sensors of the wind velocity measuring apparatus of FIG. 6 according to one embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a wind velocity measuring apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a processor portion 28 linked to a thermal sensor portion 11. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the link between the processor portion 28 and the sensor portion 11 includes an electrical connection made by connection wires 20. However, as will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art, the link between the processor portion 28 and the sensor portion 11 could include a connection other than a hard-wired connection. For example, the processor portion 28 could be linked to the sensor portion 11 through a radio frequency, infrared, or other non-wired connection. [0019] The sensor portion 11 of the wind velocity measuring apparatus 10 includes a first thermal sensor 14 that senses temperature information in the environment in which the sensor portion 11 sits. The temperature information sensed by the sensor 14 is transmitted to a processor 18 within the processor portion 28. The processor portion 28 can also include a power source 24. The power source 24 can include AC current, a solar panel, a battery, or other sources of power. Continue reading... Full patent description for Wind velocity measuring apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Wind velocity measuring apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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